Barbour Middleburn: Simple Is Good

Leslie of Archival Clothing posted a shot on twitter today of a fellow spotted wearing a Barbour Middleburn. Though not a model seen often compared to the ubiquitous Bedale and Beaufort (Orvis lists it as "NEW" -- this could be the reason) I'm completely into the simplicity of the slash pockets and the single left top pocket. According to Barbor's website the Middleburn is available in Rustic (brown) and Black (though Orvis only stocks the Rustic.) I'm putting this on the list.

This Is Fall: Good Things From Across The Pond

 Some of my favorite Fall items happen to be English-made:

A note about the Bosmere wax jacket above: Pictured is my wife's jacket but after seeing her use it for the last few years I've decided to order one for myself. I keep seeing "wax jacket roundups" (most recently over at A Trip Down South) but I have yet to see anyone mention these. Made with gardeners and equestrians in mind these jackets are really inexpensive (you won't believe it), warm, and great-looking. The "poor man's Barbour?" Perhaps, but at the price I just paid it's a no-brainer. If you are interested in these, leave a comment and I'll email you with details.

Shooting Sweater Shootout

This isn't really a shootout in the "test them side-by-side" sense because the only one I own is the Barbour and it's really more of a "sportman's sweater" if we're getting technical.  Finding a real shooting sweater these days is becoming rather difficult.  Filson seems to be discontinuing the Waterfowl Sweater although I have found a few online retailers who are still selling them.  I guess Filson's too busy making trucker jackets to make the clothes that they're famous for.  Maybe they'll get one going in a China factory like the rest of their line.  (End rant.)

I'm interested in the Brenire from Stafford's.  I only just found out about them through an Archival Clothing post on Twitter but they look good and they're knitted in Scotland.  Purdey is probably great and I love the contrast of the brown patches on green.  The Three Forks is fantastic looking but it's impossible to find except for the occasional ebay auction.  The Cabela's looks functional if not a little generic.  I hear nothing good about Boyt's quality as of late.

Anybody out there have a favorite they want to share? I'm all ears.

On My Mind

Images/items/thoughts that I keep returning to lately (some mine, some found.)  Maybe it's the change in the weather here in TN that's got me thinking this way.

Autumn's Around the Corner: Barbour Shetland Wool Ties

Sorry....couldn't wait.  But it'll be here before we know it, right?  (And even Fall might be pushing the season on these a little...)